[lockstock]

This may seem irrelevant and pointless (probably because that's just what it is) but having walked the dogs in most of the parks and gullies in Hamilton, I have noticed there are no stinging nettles here. I asked the neighbours and they didn't know what I was taking about. But I often get that reaction from them.

Can anyone enlighten me on this useless piece of information?

[wilson182]

They are all down here in my vegetable garden:wah :p

[Kim39]

Must admit Lockstock that was the reaction i got from my work colleague when i asked about stinging nettles and the need to have docleaf's available. He just shrugged his shoulders:roll

I have yet to see any here


Kim

[wiki]

We had them on the farm when I was a kid, but to be honest I've not seen any since I've been back. Either it's just a south island thing (unlikely) or they've been dying out.

[Kim39]

There you go....its a European thing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinging_nettle

Kim

[Sam B]

There is apparently a variety of giant stinging nettle here, found in coastal areas, and its sting is so bad that it can kill a full-grown man!!! Haven't seen any yet, phew.

[JWR]

This may seem irrelevant and pointless (probably because that's just what it is) but having walked the dogs in most of the parks and gullies in Hamilton, I have noticed there are no stinging nettles here. I asked the neighbours and they didn't know what I was taking about. But I often get that reaction from them.

No stinging nettles, that's good, isn't it?

What else did you ask the neighbours? I can see them at the curtains peering out at you. "It's that man with the dogs out looking for stinging nettles again. I wonder what he wants them for?"

[veronica]

there are stinging nettles about, probably imported with the early settlers either to make nettle tea or accidently in the hay, we have a few in our garden and have seen them when walking the dogs in a few places, not many though.

[Tia Maria]

there are stinging nettles about, probably imported with the early settlers either to make nettle tea or accidently in the hay, we have a few in our garden and have seen them when walking the dogs in a few places, not many though.

Interesting you should say that because when we were at Howick historical village yesterday there was a piece about the blacksmith who use to deliberately walk through the stinging nettles to help his arthritis. So they must have been around then but whether they were bought over by the early settlers, or not, I don't know.

Cheers

Tia

[Moorf]

Defo not as prolific here in our area but they are around - plus, there's a nettle-like plant which doesn't sting but looks like a nettle and lifestock seem to ignore it....

[IanW99]

Interesting you should say that because when we were at Howick historical village yesterday there was a piece about the blacksmith who use to deliberately walk through the stinging nettles to help his arthritis. So they must have been around then but whether they were bought over by the early settlers, or not, I don't know.

Cheers

Tia

If you want to know if they were native or introduced:-

Nettles or stinging nettles (Urtica species). Three species are likely to be encountered - the first two are introduced and the third is native. Nettle or annual nettle (U. urens) is a common weed of gardens and waste places, especially where animals congregate. Perennial nettle (U. dioica) is much less common, but may grow in partly shaded places in the vicinity of buildings. The notorious giant native tree nettle or ongaonga (U. ferox) does not occur naturally in Auckland, although it is present north of the Waikato, as well as many areas to the south including the South Island. The stings can cause a numbing effect which lasts several days.

Ian

[bartons]

Our first giant nettle tree (about knee-high, but apparently a youngster) was pointed out to us in the bush yesterday. Not so much a danger to humans (one death in the last hundred years) but to dogs, and I've read claims it can kill even horses. Looked pretty harmless though.

[Familyofmonkeys]

Anyone got any piccies of these giant nettle things? Got me worried :(

[IanW99]

Anyone got any piccies of these giant nettle things? Got me worried :(

Try this link:- NZ Tree Nettle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ongaonga_%28tree%29)

Ian

[JWR]

I think this is what they look like.
this one is about 12 feet high, just a baby one.

[Familyofmonkeys]

:laugh :laugh you have been watching too many films!

[lockstock]

JWR - you'd need a hell of a big dock leaf to rub on a sting from one of those!